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Baccarat is a very fascinating and exciting game, and it’s been a favourite with the European nobility since its appearance. It’s hard to establish the origins of Baccarat, with many thinking that it originated in France, this country of elegance and refinement. However, different variations of Baccarat that exist in almost all European countries under different names. Italian adventurist has done a lot to spread and popularise the game. He claimed that he took the idea from the ancient rituals practised by folks in Northern Italy. It is generally accepted that Baccarat appeared in France somewhere around the end of the fifteenth century. Back then, players sitting around the table were playing to control the common bank, and the goal of the game was to get a certain number of points, and so, a better result than others as the most successful player would cover the bank.
Table, Bacardi, Baccarat
A company of up to seven players can play Baccarat (which in online casinos is sometimes also referred to as ’punto-banco’) against the house, which is represented by a dealer, or by a croupier, which is exactly the same. Before the start of the game players make bets on the special gaming table.
There are three bet types in punto-banko:
- Player field - these are the bets that are made in favour of a particular player. If the dealer wins, the house takes the bet. If the player wins, the payout is equal to the bet;
- Bank field – these are bets in favour of the dealer. If a player wins, the bet is lost. The payout on these bets is equal to the size, and there is a 5% commission;
- Tie field – these are bets placed on equal points. If you place this bet, this means you think no one will win. The payout on these bets is nine times the bet size.
Game and its outcome
After bets are made, the croupier pulls two cards for each of the players, and these are laid open on the table (total of six decks are used in the game to form one large deck that is handled only by the croupier). After dealing, the croupier checks players’ cards against his own, and the player with cards worth 9 points wins; if there is no one with a nine, the player with an eight wins. The cards are graded as follows: ace – 1 point, 2 – 9 are graded on their nominal, all other cards are worth 0 points. If the sum of the cards is more than 9 points, 10 points are subtracted to give the final number (for example, if the player has cards worth 16 points, his cards are actually worth 6 points). If some of the participants have below 4 points, an extra card is introduced, however, for the dealer this will be worth 4 points, while the player gets all 5. After totalling the points for everyone, the player pays out, and if the dealer wins, everybody who bet on ’Bank’ wins. Same with the other fields.
Simple and addictive
As you can see from Baccarat’s description, its rules are very simple, but this makes it even more attractive for both new and experienced players. The game is well represented in traditional casinos and virtual gambling establishments. The wide coverage is attracting more and more players to the Baccarat, quite rightfully.
